Visceral regeneration in the crinoid Antedon mediterranea: basic mechanisms, tissues and cells involved in gut regrowth

Abstract

Abstract:Crinoids are able to regenerate completely many body parts, namely arms, pinnules, cirri, and also viscera, including the whole gut, lost after self-induced or traumatic mutilations. In contrast to the regenerative processes related to external appendages, those related to internal organs have been poorly investigated. In order to provide a comprehensive view of these processes, and of their main events, timing and mechanisms, the present work is exploring visceral regeneration in the feather star Antedon meditteranea. The histological and cellular aspects of visceral regeneration were monitored at predetermined times (from 24 hours to 3 weeks post evisceration) using microscopy and immunocytochemistry. The overall regeneration process can be divided into three main phases, leading in 3 weeks to the reconstruction of a complete functional gut. After a brief wound healing phase, new tissues and organs develop as a result of extensive cell migration and transdifferentiation. The cells involved in these processes are mainly coelothelial cells, which after trans-differentiating into progenitor cells form clusters of enterocytic precursors. The advanced phase is then characterized by the growth and differentiation of the gut rudiment. In general, our results confirm the striking potential for repair (wound healing) and regeneration displayed by crinoids at the organ, tissue and cellular levels.

Asexual reproduction, evisceration, and regeneration in holothurians (Holothuroidea) from Nha Trang Bay of the South China Sea

“…According to these authors, the esophagus and the cloaca are not involved in regeneration: the intestine forms as a result of transformation of the mesentery edge from mesodermal tissues. Actually, the gut of echinoderms can regenerate in some cases via trans differentiation of the coelomic epithelial cells [28,33]. However, our investigations did not confirm the data of Bai [8] on the mode of gut regeneration in H. sca bra.…”

Echinodermata

“…The process has been studied in the feather star A. mediterranea (Dolmatov et al 2001 ;Mozzi et al 2006 ). In this case, the wound is sealed through a clotting process, which recruits coelomic and hemal fl uids.…”

Postembryonic Organogenesis of the Digestive Tube

“…Most of what is known about organization and regeneration of the digestive tube in echinoderms has been learned from experiments on sea cucumbers (holothurians) (Figs. 7.3 and 7.4) (reviewed in García-Arrarás & Greenberg, 2001; Mashanov & García-Arrarás, 2011), although occasional studies were also done on members of other classes, such as brittle stars (ophiuroids) (Frolova & Dolmatov, 2010) and sea lilies (crinoids) (Mozzi, Dolmatov, Bonasoro, & Candia Carnevali, 2006). …”